Snowdon has heard the strain: Busy murmurs hum around, Rustling vestments brush the ground; Here, arrang'd in order due, Spread your robes of saffron hue; For lo, with more than mortal fire, Hark, he sweeps the master-strings; Chor. Break off; a sullen smoke involves the altar The central oak doth shake; I hear the sound Of steps profane: Caractacus, retire; Bear hence the victims; Mona is polluted. Semich. Father, as we did watch the eastern side, We spied and instant seiz'd two stranger youths, Who, in the bottom of a shadowy dell, Held earnest converse: Britons do they seem, Chor. Haste, drag them hither. FROM THE SAME. Vellinus, the treacherous brother of Elidurus, having fled to the Romans, Elidurus is sentenced to die-Evelina pleads for his life. Chorus, Evelina, Elidurus, and Bard. Chor. WHAT may his flight portend? Say, Evelina, How came this youth to 'scape? Evel. And that to tell Will fix much blame on my impatient folly: For, ere your hallow'd lips had given permission, I flew with eager haste to bear my father News of his son's return. Inflam'd with that, Think how a sister's zealous breast must glow! Your looks give mild assent. I glow'd indeed With the dear tale, and sped me in his ear To pour the precious tidings: but my tongue Scarce nam'd Arviragus, ere the false stranger (As I bethink me since) with stealthy pace Fled to the cavern's mouth. Chor. The king pursu'd? Evel. Alas! he mark'd him not, for 'twas the moment, When he had all to ask and all to fear, Touching my brother's valour. Hitherto His safety only, which but little mov'd him, Oh how the tears cours'd plenteous down his cheeks! How did he lift unto the Heav'ns his hands In speechless transport! Yet he soon bethought him But I with prayers (oh pardon, if they err'd) Chor. Maiden, enough; Better perchance for us, if he were captive: Bard. Druid, the rites Are finish'd, all save that which crowns the rest, And which pertains to thy blest hand alone: For that he kneels before thee. Chor. Take him hence, We may not trust him forth to fight our cause. Elid. Now by Andraste's throne— Chor. Nay, swear not, youth, The tie is broke, that held thy fealty: Does thus our love, does thus our friendship end! Was I thy brother, youth, and hast thou left me! Yes; and how left me, cruel as thou art, Chor. True, thou must die. The stars in yon blue arch, these woods, these caverns, I ought to hate this brother. Chor. Yet thou dost not. Elid. But when' astonishment will give me leave, Perchance I shall.-And yet he is my brother, And he was virtuous once. Yes, ye vile Romans, Yes, I must die, before my thirsty sword Drinks one rich drop of vengeance. Yet, ye robbers, Yet will I curse you with my dying lips: 'Twas you, that stole away my brother's virtue. Chor. Now then prepare to die. Elid. I am prepar'd. Yet, since I cannot now (what most I wish'd) By manly prowess guard this lovely maid; Permit that on your holiest earth I kneel, And pour one fervent prayer for her protection. Allow me this, for though you think me false, The gods will hear me. Evel. I can hold no longer! Oh Druid, Druid, at thy feet I fall: Yes, I must plead, (away with virgin-blushes) Chor. Virgin, arise. His virtue hath redeem'd him, THE CAPTURE OF CARACTACUS. Aul. Did. FROM THE SAME. YE bloody priests, Behold we burst on your infernal rites, And bid you pause. Instant restore our soldiers, Did not our laws give license to all faiths, |